Recycling of Post‐Consumer HDPE Drug Packaging with Banana Pseudostem Fiber

Abstract

As the life expectancy of the population increases, the quantity of solid waste produced has also risen. There is therefore a clear need to recycle materials, particularly polymers, and it is very important to reduce the time taken for materials to degrade after they have been discarded. The objective of this study was to develop a composite material from a mixture of waste drug packaging made from HDPE and fiber from the pseudostems of banana plants. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the characteristics of this compound, including tests of its mechanical properties, analyses with scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, and tests of biodegradability and ecotoxicity. The infrared analysis showed that the compound was free from chemical groups that could indicate contamination by medications. The biodegradability assessment showed that the HDPERC5 compound took 28% less time to degrade after use was than the postconsumer HDPE (HDPER). The HDPERC5 compound exhibited the best results for possible use for production of domestic utilities, in addition to a shorter degradation time if its final disposal destination were to be a landfill.

Banana fiber/low-density polyethylene recycled composites for third world eco-friendly construction applications – Waste for life project Sri Lanka

“…Research has shown that the increase in untreated short fiber content will actually decrease the tensile strength most likely caused by fibers being below the required critical fiber length. 12,13 By treating the fibers, the interfacial bond strength is increased, therefore decreasing the critical fiber length. Thus, by treating the fibers, there is an increase in the tensile strength with increased short fiber content as shown by Prasad et al 14 The same increasing strength trend can be achieved using longer fibers.…”

Development of hemp fiber composites with recycled high density polyethylene grocery bags

“…26,27 It is essential that the material is rigorously cleaned to remove any debris that can negatively affect the properties/quality of final products. A granulation process or pelletizing process is the second stage 28 where the rHDPE is remelted in an extruder and granules/pellets or films are produced. Fillers/additives/fibers can be introduced into the rHDPE.…”